October Update

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Harvest Season, Hope Season: Fresh Food, Full Hearts, and Fighting Hunger Together

As we welcome the crisp autumn air and the vibrant colors of the season, AmpleHarvest.org invites you to celebrate Apple and Pumpkin Month with us. October is a time to enjoy the delicious bounty of fall and share it with those in need.

We encourage you to donate your garden's surplus, whether it's apples for pies or pumpkins for soups, to local food pantries. Your contributions can make a big difference for families facing food insecurity. By coming together, we can enjoy the season's produce and make a positive impact in our communities.

Thank you for your support and for helping us nourish and uplift others. 🍎🎃

When SNAP Stops: The Ripple Effect of a Government Shutdown on Hungry Families

As a government shutdown drags on and SNAP benefits hang in the balance, millions of families face an alarming reality: the kitchen table goes empty. At the same time, gardeners are still harvesting fresh fruits and vegetables across America. In this blog post we explore how homegrown abundance can fill unexpected gaps in our food system. Let’s turn surplus into nourishment and buy time for vulnerable households when safety nets falter. Read more

Let’s talk centerpieces

This season, consider swapping flowers for something even more meaningful like fresh fruits and vegetables. A colorful arrangement of produce makes a beautiful, natural centerpiece for your table, and when the celebration ends, it doesn’t have to go to waste.

Instead of tossing it out, donate your edible centerpiece to a local food pantry through AmpleHarvest.org. You’ll brighten someone’s day twice—first with the beauty of your table, and again when those fresh fruits and vegetables help feed a family in your community.

A little creativity can go a long way toward reducing waste and fighting hunger. This year, let your centerpiece nourish both your guests and your neighbors.Read more

Your Donations at Work this October

11 new food pantries have joined the AmpleHarvest.org network. Among them is Shepherd’s Food Pantry in Farmville, North Carolina. They told us “We greatly appreciate healthy fresh food and nonfood essentials as well.”
Every new pantry means more fresh food reaching more people—and less going to waste. With gardeners across the country donating their extra harvests through AmpleHarvest.org, we’re turning abundance into action and building a healthier, more sustainable food system together.

Audacious? Daring? Doable?

AmpleHarvest.org is already helping over 5,000 communities fight hunger and food waste. We’re aiming to reach 10,000 communities within the next three years. That means millions more gardeners will be able to share their fresh harvests with local families, improving health and reducing waste across all 50 states. Want to be part of it? Watch this short video at www.AmpleHarvest.org/Closeup. Questions? Ideas? chat with us at info@AmpleHarvest.org.

Food banks are continuing to see large numbers of people needing food assistance. If you've planted a garden, think about growing more to feed more. If you can't grow a garden, share AmpleHarvest.org on social media, volunteer, or donate. Every act of kindness counts.